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Published on 09/18/1995 All articles from this issue

Presentation at United Methodist

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Deaf resident touts benefits of TDD phone deviceDeaf Los Altos resident Marian Aiken-Forderer uses a communication relay device to help her do business over the phone with the hearing public. Unfortunately, the communication doesn't always take place.

"I recently called a business in Los Altos and was hung up on the first try," she said. "I explained to the operator to try and re-dial and explain the service again.

"The business I was calling said they received prank calls before and became extremely rude over the phone with the operator. As required by law, the operator was typing everything that was being spoken. I was hurt that someone who was hired to assist the deaf had to listen to this type of conversation, but I was also hurt that the person would not try to understand I wanted to do business with them. Needless to say, they lost my business."

Aiken-Forderer uses a device called a TDD, which stands for "telecommunication device for the deaf." The machine looks like a small typewriter and a deaf person can read what is being spoken or typed by another person.

"By calling a specified number listed in the front of a phone directory, I can ask the operator to relay the message I need to give to others who do not have a TDD," she said.

For those still in the dark about TDDs and how they assist the deaf, the Los Altos United Methodist Church is holding a special presentation explaining the service 7 p.m. Monday at the church's Creekside Center, corner of Magdalena Avenue and Foothill Expressway.

Representatives from the DCARA Deaf Bookstore will be on hand to display and demonstrate various devices used by the deaf, deafened and hard of hearing population.

"The relay service has made life much easier and I can do my business on an almost equal level as someone who has normal hearing," Aiken-Forderer said. "I hope the businesses in Los Altos will be more aware of this service and use it to contact deaf consumers in the community."